Don’t miss the Don’t miss the “Standing withGiants” installation at theBritish Normandy Memorial10/04/2025– 12/9/2025Photo © Ben Collier,Normandy TourismBayeux © Ben Collier, Normandy Tourismcathedral, fine arts museum and churchdedicated to Joan of Arc. Next day the ridersface an individual time-trial over a 33km loopfrom Caen, the first time that Le Tour hasbeen to William the Conqueror’s ducal citysince 2006. Take advantage of all the city hasto offer during the Caen Millennium year.Another hilly ride awaits competitors on thethird and final day in Normandy, a 201km ridefrom Bayeux to Vire. Home to the famoustapestry of William’s invasion of Englandin 1066, another stunning cathedral, and amoving Commonwealth cemetery from WorldWar II, Bayeux has never previously hosted aTour de France peloton, but Vire hosted fourTour finishes in the 1930s and featured onstage two in 1997.The Guillaume deNormandie – new hybridferry for a sustainablefutureNamed after William of Normandy, holderof England’s top job from 1066, the newhybrid vessel from Brittany Ferries is acleaner, greener cruise-ferry that will join thePortsmouth to Caen-Ouistreham route on 18April, sailing three times a day.Guillaume de Normandie and its sister shipSaint-Malo are the first ferries on the EnglishChannel to be powered by hybrid-Liquefied@ Brittany FerriesNatural Gas (LNG)-electric propulsion. They willeach be equipped with the largest batteries ofany ferry in the world and this hybrid technologywill deliver reduced emissions throughout thevoyage, but especially when manoeuvring inport where the ships will operate on batterypower alone. A sustainable start to any holidayin Normandy.Replacing the long-serving Normandie, thenew ship sports a bright new design with colourhighlights that are typical of the coastal area– the light blue timbers of traditional seasidevillas and the vibrant primary colours of beachhuts. For passengers wanting a bed but notnecessarily a private cabin, new dormitorystyle bunk beds with a nautical feel look set toprove a popular option. In addition, passengerscan choose from a wider range of deluxe cabingrades and, in a first for Brittany Ferries, the newship will also offer cabins especially furnished forpassengers with allergies.And for travellers who cannot bear to beparted from their pets whilst on holiday,Guillaume de Normandie will feature 22 petfriendlycabins with hygienic laminated floorsand convenient access to a dedicated petpromenade area on the outside decks.Caen ferry port at Ouistreham is just 15km northof the city with direct access to the autoroutenetwork. Foot passengers can catch a bus intothe city centre with Twisto (twisto.fr/en) or intoParis with Flixbus (flixbus.co.uk) or by train.Enjoy all four seasons in Normandy!www.normandy-tourism.org30 | The Good Life France The Good Life France | 31
